How do Baking Powder Submarines work?
There is an area inside the baking powder submarine that holds baking powder. This area closes up completely, except for a small hole or series of holes on the bottom of the submarine. When placed into water, the submarine sinks. After several seconds the baking powder reacts with water to produce carbon dioxide bubbles (carbon dioxide is completely safe & non-toxic). As a result, a small air bubble is formed underneath the sub which gives it just enough buoyancy to rise to the top of the water level. Once the submarine hits the top of the water level, the submarine tilts to the side. As a result the carbon dioxide bubble is released from underneath the sub, and the sub sinks back down. As it goes down it continues to produce more carbon dioxide, and once again the submarine rises. The entire reaction can go on for some time, and the submarine will dive and resurface many times. The Clabber Girl baking powder company has a long detailed scientific description of exactly what happens. I
